The power that makes us handle ourselves and others around us is something we do not even notice, but that is central to all our lives. While actual physical violence is far away for many of us, nobody can deny how society has a certain rule over each of us. We have expectations towards others and ourselves that are central for the way we think and behave. Cultural values do not only shape our daily lives but also every text that is written. These texts on the other hand have the power to influence our values and believe on what is wrong and right.
Because I am very interested in this topic and also how texts form our picture of the world I chose to write about New Historicism.
New Historicism is a literary theory that, in my opinion, everybody can understand and relate to.
A central idea is how every text shows signs of the time and the society it is produced in. A logical consequence, since the author is never free of perceptions of his time and never subjective. On the other hand a text, read by many people, can easily influence their opinions and believes. For example the texts written about Queen Elisabeth contributed to her image of the Virgin Queen. These ideas, bought up as literary theory in New Historicism, are important until today. While books and theater plays might not be as important for many of us we are influenced, not only by television, but also by newspapers and articles we read. Our “self” is still created through the society we live in.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. New Historicism as Literary Theorie
2.1. The Origin of New Historicism
2.2 Influential People in New Historicism
2.3. How New Historicism is applied
3. Summary of William Shakespeare`s “The Tempest”
4. New Historicism applied on „The Tempest”
4.1. Shakespeare`s Time of Textual Production
4.2. “The Tempest” and the Influence on its Time
4.3. Power Struggles in “The Tempest”
5. Conclusion
6. References
Objectives and Research Themes
This paper examines William Shakespeare’s "The Tempest" through the lens of New Historicism, focusing on how literary texts are shaped by their historical context and how they, in turn, influence the societal power structures of their time. The research explores the interplay between the author's environment, the textual production, and the representation of power, rebellion, and the marginalized within the narrative.
- Foundations of New Historicism and its major theorists
- The relationship between Elizabethan England's historical background and Shakespeare's writing
- Textual analysis of power struggles involving characters like Prospero, Caliban, and Ariel
- The impact of literature on shaping contemporary audience perceptions
Excerpt from the Book
4.3. Power Struggles in “The Tempest”
William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” is a play very much about power and the struggles of those suppressed by it. If you look at the basic structure of the play there are already certain notions of the fact, that people are suppressed by power and that others use their power to do so. Beginning with Prospero’s brother Antonio who banned his brother from Milan to rule by himself and going on other Prospero who in a way suppresses his daughter and even further him suppressing Caliban and Ariel.
I would like to start with Caliban. Caliban is the son of the evil witch Sycorax that reigned on the island before Prospero arrived there. He killed the witch and made Caliban his slave. At first though Prospero had a rather good relationship to Caliban, who in the first act says:
“When thou came´st first, though stroke´st me and made much of me; wouldst give me water with berries in´t; and teach me how to name the bigger light […] and then I lov´d thee, and show´d thee all the qualities o´th´isle, […]” (Shakespeare, 1958, p.34).
Shortly after though, he curses himself for having done so. Clearly there has been a dramatic change in their relationship that later also makes Caliban rebel against Propero. This change has been bought by Prosperos daughter Miranda. It becomes clear along the play that Caliban has tried to rape her before and therefore she despises him and only calls him “villain” (Shakespeare, 1958, p.32).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the motivation for the study, introducing New Historicism as a framework to explore the power dynamics within Shakespeare’s work and its historical relevance.
2. New Historicism as Literary Theorie: This section details the origins of New Historicism, its key theorists like Foucault and Greenblatt, and the core analytical techniques used to examine literary texts as historical products.
3. Summary of William Shakespeare`s “The Tempest”: This chapter provides a narrative overview of the play, outlining the key plot points, character motivations, and the setting of the island.
4. New Historicism applied on „The Tempest”: The main analytical part of the work, which links the historical realities of 1611 England to the themes of colonization, monarchy, and power struggles in the play.
5. Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes the findings, confirming that the theory effectively explains the power dynamics in "The Tempest" and underscores the lasting influence of Shakespeare's texts.
Keywords
New Historicism, William Shakespeare, The Tempest, Power Struggles, Cultural Materialism, Literary Theory, Colonialism, Elizabethan Era, Discourse, Subversion, Thick Description, Stephen Greenblatt, Michel Foucault, Caliban, Renaissance Literature
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on applying the literary theory of New Historicism to William Shakespeare’s play "The Tempest" to understand the relationship between the text and its historical context.
What are the central themes explored in the work?
The central themes include power dynamics, the societal construction of the "self," colonial influences, and the manifestation of subversion and rebellion within a social hierarchy.
What is the primary objective of this analysis?
The objective is to demonstrate how Shakespeare’s play reflects and participates in the historical discourse of his time, particularly regarding the themes of power and the marginalized.
Which methodology is utilized for the analysis?
The author uses New Historicism, specifically employing techniques such as analyzing the author's historical background, the social structures of the time, and the concept of power relations.
What topics are covered in the main section of the paper?
The main section covers the origin and definition of New Historicism, a summary of "The Tempest," and a detailed analysis of how Shakespeare’s work reflects the politics and social atmosphere of 1611 England.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Key terms include New Historicism, Shakespeare, The Tempest, Power Struggles, Colonialism, and Renaissance Literature.
How does the author characterize the relationship between Prospero and Caliban?
The author describes it as a complex power struggle, moving from an initial period of teaching and relative harmony to a state of exploitation and deep-seated mutual resentment.
What conclusion does the author reach regarding the play’s power dynamics?
The author concludes that power necessitates and simultaneously produces subversion, as demonstrated by the rebellion of the marginalized characters against Prospero’s authority.
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- Sina Lockley (Autor:in), 2014, New Historicism applied on William Shakespeare’s"The Tempest", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/285111
